DPS Honors Educators at Excellence in Teaching Event

Nov. 30, 2017

Contact: Jessie Smiley, Media Relations, Jessie_Smiley@dpsk12.org

Denver – On the evening of Nov. 29, Denver Public Schools (DPS) honored more than 1,000 district educators for their top performance in the classroom and with students at the district’s Excellence in Teaching celebration. The event recognizes and honors outstanding teachers and specialized service providers, such as counselors and nurses, who went above and beyond to receive a top rating of Distinguished in their growth and performance for the 2016-17 school year.

DPS invited all Distinguished educators to be recognized, thanked and celebrated for their excellence in the classroom at the annual event, held this year at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and made possible through generous DPS Foundation donors.

“I know much effort, how much skill and how much team work it takes to be a great teacher,” Superintendent Tom Boasberg said during the celebration. “Above all, I want to thank you tonight for your love. To be a great teacher it takes love — love for your profession, love for your community and love for the kids you serve. And I think every day you see that love reciprocated in the respect and love that your kids have for you.”

Special guest Mayor Michael B. Hancock also attended the celebration, along with newly elected Denver school board member Carrie Olson, a Distinguished teacher at West Leadership Academy who is leaving her post to serve on the board, and Wings Over the Rockies CEO and former Aurora Public Schools superintendent John Barry.

“I truly believe that teaching is one of the professions that reaches eternity,” said Mayor Hancock. “The only thing that truly matters is the difference you’ve made in the life of a child. We love our teachers!”

The number of Distinguished educators continues to grow every year in DPS, which means more students have a top educator supporting them. One of the most important ways to help students learn and grow, and achieve their own greatness, is to make sure they have a great teacher in every classroom. To help their educators grow professionally, DPS knows that recognizing and honoring their efforts go hand-in-hand with coaching and supports.